Human activities are rapidly changing the Earth's biosphere, calling for innovative ways to measure, monitor and manage ecosystems at large geographic scales. Fortunately, the science and technology landscape is also evolving fast to meet the challenge of better managing the biosphere in the coming decades. This lecture will explain one of the world's most advanced Earth mapping projects, and how it supports environmental conservation and decision-making around the world.

Gregory Asner

Dr. Greg Asner is a faculty member of the Carnegie Institution's Department of Global Ecology and the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at Stanford University. His scientific training spans the fields of ecology, remote sensing and environmental chemistry.
Dr. Asner combines detailed field studies, airborne and satellite remote sensing, and computer modeling to address environmental issues related to land use change and climate variability. He focuses most of his research in the humid tropical forests and deserts of the world.